KR20110124276A - Geographic-based measurement and logging of radio coverage related information by mobile devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides automated wireless network signal analysis by mobile devices as a function of their geographic locations. As an embodiment, the wireless network may transmit to a mobile device a set of geographic data that defines a geographic area. The mobile device may compare its current location with the geographic area, begin measuring downlink signals or recording such measurements when entering the geographic area, and end recording when the mobile device leaves the geographic area. The recorded measurements can then be uploaded to the wireless network for analysis. In some aspects, the mobile device may stop uploading measurements until it is within the defined reporting area. By providing mobile device network analysis triggered on device geographic location, analysis data tailored to a particular problem can be obtained, increasing the quality of the analysis data and significantly reducing the cost of obtaining such data.

Description

GEOGRAPHIC-BASED MEASUREMENT AND LOGGING OF RADIO COVERAGE RELATED INFORMATION BY MOBILE DEVICES}

This patent application is filed on February 3, 2009 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING MEASUREMENTS AND LOGGING OF RADIO COVERAGE QUALITY RELATED INFORMATION BY MOBILE DEVICES WITHIN SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREAS." 61 / 149,543, the priority of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The following description generally relates to wireless communication, and in particular, to the reporting of wireless coverage information that facilitates measurement and is based on the geographic location of the mobile device.

Wireless communication systems are generally widely used to provide various types of communication content such as voice content, data content, and the like. Typical wireless communication systems can be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (eg, bandwidth, transmit power, ...). Embodiments of such multiple-access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) Systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, and the like. In addition, the systems may include third generation partnership projects (3GPP), 3GPP long-term evolution (LTE), ultra mobile broadband (UMB), or evolution data optimized (EV-DO). Specifications, such as multi-carrier wireless specifications, one or more revisions thereof, and the like.

In general, wireless multiple-access communication systems can simultaneously support communication for multiple mobile devices. Each mobile device can communicate with one or more base stations via transmissions on the forward link and the reverse link. The forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from base stations to mobile devices, and the reverse link (or uplink) refers to the communication link from mobile devices to base stations. In addition, communications between mobile devices and base stations can include single-input single-output (SISO) systems, multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, and the like. It can be set through.

A wireless communication network employs a wireless communication infrastructure (e.g., base stations, radio towers, etc.) that facilitates data exchange with mobile communication devices (e.g., cell phones, smartphones, laptop computers, etc.) instead of wireless communication networks. I use it. Data received by the wireless communication network may be sent to other entities, such as other mobile communication devices, public switched telephone networks, to provide two-way user communication that users would expect from conventional electronic communication (eg, telephone service). It may be relayed to other networks such as the Internet, or vice versa. The excellence of wireless communication generally depends at least in part on the strength, quality, etc. of the wireless signals between the wireless infrastructure and the mobile communication device.

The overall superiority of wireless signals may be affected by several static, such as geographic topography, some semi-static, such as artificial structures, and many other dynamic conditions, such as atmospheric environments. One simple example is the distance to a wireless tower. As the distance increases, the signal strength decreases. Another embodiment includes physical objects interposed between a mobile communication device and a radio tower. Artificial structures, such as office buildings, towers, etc., can cause dispersion or absorption of wireless signals, thereby reducing communication quality. In addition, structures that mitigate propagation of electromagnetic signals, such as electrical conductors and conductive structures (eg, metal walls or enclosures, conductive insulators, etc.) can also reduce the strength or quality of wireless signals. As another embodiment, geographic topography can reduce signal strength and cause signal echoes or dispersion to generate radio interference. In addition to the above disclosure, weather patterns, medium and large-scale electromagnetic perturbations of the earth, and other atmospheric conditions can affect wireless signal quality. Thus, depending on static and dynamic conditions, the ability of a wireless network to provide quality services may change dramatically based on geographic location.

To provide reliable wireless services for a wide range of locations, wireless network providers periodically test the signal strength and quality of the wireless infrastructure, including wireless towers and base stations, wireless repeaters, wireless relays, and the like. One example test is a drive through test. Drive thru testing typically involves a network person moving a geographic area on foot or by vehicle. During the test, the network member uses the wireless receiver to analyze the strength and quality of the downlink signals at various locations and identifies the poor service areas. Data belonging to these poor service areas can be recorded and provided to network engineers to determine the appropriate solution. Sometimes these solutions involve adding additional wireless infrastructure, such as a low power base station in a tall building, or a set of such base stations in a shopping mall. In other cases, adjusting the location, orientation, or transmit power of the current infrastructure may correct the problem. Various solutions exist, but performing drive through tests to identify problem areas can be very expensive, especially for large wireless networks that are in the region of tens or even tens of millions of square miles. On the other hand, failure to identify these problem areas can lead to poor customer satisfaction and loss of business or reputation. These types of losses can be quite large, especially in a wide range. Thus, network operators have strong incentives to provide seamless network services even at high performance costs.

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all embodiments being considered, and is not intended to limit the scope of any or all embodiments or to identify key or critical elements of all embodiments. Its purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The present invention provides automated wireless network signal analysis by mobile devices as a function of their geographic locations. In some aspects, the network control protocol may be extended to enable transmission of the set of geographic data to the mobile device defining the geographic area. The mobile device can use location determination techniques to compare its current location with the geographic area. When the mobile device enters a geographic area, the mobile device may begin measuring downlink signals or recording such measurements. The recorded measurements are then uploaded to the wireless network for analysis. In this way, the wireless network operator can obtain data analysis for problem areas, for example, without performing time-consuming and costly drive through tests. In some aspects, the set of data defining the reporting area may be sent to the mobile device, and the mobile device may refrain from uploading measurements unless the mobile device is in the reporting area. In other aspects, geographic data or measurements are exchanged over user plane protocols via remote client-server interaction in a mobile device and wireless network using these user plane protocols. In either case, by providing mobile device network analysis triggered on device geographic location, analysis data tailored to specific problem areas can be obtained, increasing the quality of network analysis data and significantly reducing the cost of obtaining such data. Let's do it.

According to certain aspects of the invention, a method of wireless communication is provided. The method may include using a communication interface to forward data defining a geographic area to a user equipment (UE) operating within a wireless network, wherein the data uses geographic coordinates independent of the wireless network infrastructure. To define the geographic area. In addition, the method further comprises the method for forwarding a trigger policy to the UE that causes the UE to record or log signal measurements of the wireless network when the UE is in the geographic area and generate a set of signal measurements. Using a communication interface.

According to other aspects, an apparatus configured for wireless communication is disclosed. The apparatus includes a communication interface for electronic communication with a wireless management network and a wireless transceiver and a memory for storing wireless protocols for transmitting data to or receiving data from a user equipment (UE) via the wireless transceiver. It may include. In addition, the apparatus may include a data processor for executing modules configured to implement the wireless protocols. In particular, the modules may comprise a data management module for obtaining or generating a set of geographic data defining a geographic area and a set of reporting data defining a reporting area. Modules allow the UE to record a set of measurements of wireless network signals when the UE is in the geographic area and upload the set of measurements when the UE is in the reporting area via the wireless transceiver. And a command module for transmitting the set of geographical data and the set of reporting data to the UE.

In accordance with additional aspects of the invention, an apparatus configured for wireless communication is provided. The apparatus may comprise means for using a communication interface to forward data defining a geographic area to a user equipment (UE) operating within a wireless network, the data being independent of the wireless network infrastructure. Define. Additionally, the apparatus may be configured to communicate the trigger policy to the UE to cause the UE to record or log signal measurements of the wireless network and generate a set of signal measurements when the UE is in the geographic area. Means for using the interface may be included.

In another aspect, at least one processor configured for wireless communication is disclosed. The processor (s) may include a module for forwarding data defining the geographic area to user equipment (UE) operating within the wireless network, wherein the data defines the geographic area regardless of the wireless network infrastructure. . The processor (s) may also include a module that forwards a trigger policy to the UE that causes the UE to record or log signal measurements of the wireless network when the UE is in the geographic area and generate a set of signal measurements. It may include.

In another aspect, a computer program product is disclosed that includes a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may comprise code for causing a computer to forward data defining a geographic area to a user equipment (UE) operating within a wireless network, wherein the data is associated with a wireless network infrastructure. The geographical area is defined irrespective. The computer-readable medium also has a trigger policy that causes the computer to record or log signal measurements of the wireless network and generate a set of signal measurements when the UE is in the geographic area. You can include code for forwarding to.

In additional aspects of the disclosed invention, a method of wireless communication is provided. The method may include using the wireless transceiver to obtain a set of geographic data defining a geographic area independent of a base station infrastructure of the wireless network. The method may further comprise using a data processor to analyze data indicative of a location of a user equipment (UE) and comparing the location to the geographic area. The method may also include using the data processor to initiate signal analysis measurements of the wireless network when the UE is within the geographic area and recording a set of signal measurements for uploading to the wireless network. .

In another aspect, an apparatus configured for wireless communication is provided. The apparatus may include a communication interface that utilizes a wireless transceiver to obtain a set of geographic data defining a geographic area and a reporting data defining a reporting area, wherein the geographic area is at least partially different from the reporting area. Do. In addition, the apparatus may include a memory for storing modules configured to provide a location that depends on signal analysis for the apparatus and a data processor for executing the modules. According to certain aspects, the modules comprise a measurement module for performing data analysis of received wireless signals, a comparison module for monitoring data providing position location of the device and comparing the location determination to the geographical area It may include. In at least one aspect, the modules may further include a triggering module to cause the measurement module to initiate analysis of downlink signals when the location is within the geographic area.

In another aspect, an apparatus for wireless communication is disclosed. The apparatus may include means for using the wireless transceiver to obtain a set of geographic data defining a geographic area independent of the base station infrastructure of the wireless network. The apparatus may also include means for using a data processor to analyze data indicative of a location of a user equipment (UE) and comparing the location to the geographical area. In addition to the above, the apparatus includes means for using the data processor to initiate signal analysis measurements of the wireless network and uploading a set of signal measurements to upload to a wireless network when the UE is within the geographic area. can do.

In accordance with one or more additional aspects, disclosed is at least one processor configured for wireless communication. The processor (s) may include a module for obtaining a set of geographic data defining a geographic area irrespective of the base station infrastructure of the wireless network. In addition, the processor (s) may include a module for analyzing data indicative of a location of a user equipment (UE) and comparing the location to the geographic area. According to at least one aspect, the processor (s) may further comprise a module for recording the set of signal measurements for initiating and uploading signal analysis measurements of the wireless network when the UE is in the geographic area. .

In addition to the above, one or more other aspects disclose a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include code for causing a computer to obtain a set of geographic data that defines a geographic area independent of a base station infrastructure of a wireless network. The computer-readable medium can also include code for causing the computer to analyze data indicative of the location of a user equipment (UE) and compare the location to the geographical area. In at least one additional aspect, a computer-readable medium may cause the computer to record a set of signal measurements for initiating and uploading signal analysis measurements of the wireless network when the UE is in the geographic area. May include code for

According to at least one further aspect, the present invention discloses a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include code for causing a computer to obtain timing information belonging to a non-serving frequency of a wireless network. In addition, the computer-readable medium may include code for causing a computer to check timing information to identify subframe configuration data belonging to a non-serving frequency. In addition to the foregoing, a computer-readable medium may include code for causing a computer to use a subframe configuration used by network cells on a non-serving frequency to analyze its signals.

1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary geo-based signal analysis apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
2 shows a block diagram of a sample network-based signal analysis control apparatus according to still other aspects.
3 illustrates a block diagram of a sample wireless communication exchange that facilitates geo-based signal analysis in accordance with certain aspects.
4 discloses a diagram of an exemplary geographic area suitable for targeted network signal analysis in accordance with one or more disclosed aspects.
5 discloses a diagram of another sample geographic region for targeted network signal analysis in accordance with other aspects.
6 illustrates another sample geographic region for targeted network signal analysis in another aspect.
7 illustrates a block diagram of an example base station including a signal analysis control apparatus in accordance with one or more disclosed aspects.
8 discloses a block diagram of an example mobile device including a geographic-based signal analysis apparatus.
9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method for improved wireless signal analysis in some aspects.
10 shows a flowchart of an example method for triggering downlink signal analysis based on network independent geographic coordinates.
11 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for other targeted signal analysis or reporting in other aspects.
12 shows a flowchart of a sample method for triggering signal analysis and measurement based on determined position location.
13 illustrates a block diagram of an example system that facilitates targeted network signal analysis based on location determination.
14 illustrates a block diagram of an example system that provides targeted network signal analysis based on location determination.
15 illustrates a block diagram of a sample wireless communication device used to implement various aspects of the present invention.
16 shows a block diagram of an example cellular environment for wireless communication, in accordance with additional aspects.
17 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless signaling environment for wireless communication.

The invention is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout the specification. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that such embodiment (s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other embodiments, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more embodiments.

In addition, various aspects of the invention are disclosed below. The teachings of the present invention are embodied in various forms and it will be apparent that any particular structure and / or function disclosed herein is exemplary only. Based on the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill in the art can implement one aspect disclosed herein independently of any other aspects, and two or more of these aspects may be combined in various ways. It should be recognized. For example, implementations and / or methods may be performed using any number of aspects the apparatus is described herein. In addition, the apparatus may be implemented and / or implemented using other structure and / or functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. As one embodiment, many of the methods, devices, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein are described in the context of providing geographically triggered signal analysis and reporting. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that similar techniques may be applied to other communication environments.

Wireless communication systems achieve electronic communication between centrally located networks that communicatively couple a local infrastructure (eg, base station) and wireless nodes that are located remotely through local infrastructure deployments. In general, the local infrastructure may use various principles to exchange wireless information with these nodes. However, each case depends on establishing a radio link between the transmitter of the wireless node and the receiver of the base station or local infrastructure, or vice versa. For a multiple access system, a radio link is a transmitter-receiver that coordinates a set of orthogonal radio resources (e.g., frequency subbands, time subslots, code-spread factors, etc.) used by the wireless node and local infrastructure. Involves a pair. Only by transmitting or decoding signals on a set of orthogonal radio resources, data transmitted on one radio link (a set of resources used by a transmitter-receiver pair) is transmitted on other radio links (another transmitter-receiver). Sets of resources used by the pairs). In addition, each transmitter-receiver pair using different radio links also forms different spatial channels, or signal dimensions, also referred to as radio channels.

1 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 100 that includes a wireless link between a wireless network (not shown) and a remote wireless transceiver 104. The wireless network may include a wireless communication interface or wireless infrastructure, such as a base station, wireless tower, wireless access point, or the like. The wireless transceiver 104 may include any suitable wireless communication device located remotely from the wireless network infrastructure or communication interface. Embodiments may include mobile devices, cellular telephones, disktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), game stations, wireless access terminals, and the like. In addition, the wireless link between the wireless network and the wireless transceiver 104 may include one or more wireless communication systems (eg, broadband CDMA, high speed packet access [HSPA], third generation partnership project [3GPP] Long Term Evolution [LTE]). ], With enhanced LTE [LTE-A], worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), WiFi networks including 802. Hx, etc.), for example frequency division multiplexing. Various wireless communication protocols, including access (FDMA) protocols, code division multiple access (CDMA) protocols, time division multiple access (TDMA) protocols, orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDMA) protocols, and the like, or a suitable combination thereof. Can be based on

As disclosed, the wireless transceiver 104 is communicatively coupled to the geographic signal analysis device 102. The geographic signal analysis device 102 includes a communication interface 106 for transmitting and receiving wireless data by the wireless transceiver 104. In particular, the communication interface 106 can use the wireless transceiver 104 to obtain a set of geographic data that defines a geographic area. In at least one aspect of the invention, communication interface 106 may further use wireless transceiver 104 to obtain a set of reporting data defining a reporting area, where the geographical area is at least partially different from the reporting area. .

In some aspects of the invention, a set of geographic data is transmitted over a wireless link using a control plane protocol (eg, a radio resource control (RRC) protocol that is extended to carry a set of geographic data). Such a control plane protocol may at least in one aspect broadcast a set of geographic data over a broadcast channel, or in such other aspect may unicast a set of geographic data over a unicast channel.

Alternatively, the set of geographic data may be sent over the wireless link using user plane protocols. In the latter case, the client application (not shown) used by the geographic signal analysis device 102 may interface with the server application on the wireless network based on user plane protocols (or vice versa). The set of geographic data may be transmitted in application level data packets generated, for example, per user plane protocols.

The set of geographic data may be stored by communication interface 106 in memory 108. In one aspect, memory 108 may store a set of geographic data in a geographic data file (file ₁ 108A). In addition, the memory 108 may also be for storing modules configured to provide location dependent signal analysis for the geographic signal analysis device 102 based at least in part on the set of geographic data. Geographic signal analysis device 102 may utilize a data processor to execute modules to implement location dependent signal analysis as described below.

In addition to the above, the geographic signal analysis device 102 may include a measurement module 116 that performs data analysis of received wireless signals. Data analysis can include signal strength analysis, signal quality analysis, or a suitable combination thereof, and the like. More specific embodiments of such data analysis may include signal strength, quality of signal strength, quality of highest level analysis, call disconnection rate, setup success rate, throughput, or other suitable measures of signal strength or quality. The measurement module 116 may be configured to perform different types of signal analysis or to analyze different types of signals according to the wireless protocols used by the wireless transceiver 104. For example, in W-CDMA or Universal Mobile Communication System (UMTS) systems, measurement modules 116 may use received signal code power (RSCP) level analysis to determine the quality of signal strength. Can be. As another embodiment, in the LTE system, the measurement module 116 may use a reference signal received power (RSRP) to determine the quality of the signal strength. Other suitable analysis of the various network signals can likewise be used, which is suitable for wireless systems.

In addition to the foregoing, the geographic signal analysis device 102 may include a comparison module 112 that monitors data providing positioning of the geographic signal analysis device 102 and compares the positioning to the geographic area. Positioning may, for example, imply or identify a location of a wireless network infrastructure (e.g., a set of base station identifiers (IDs) correlated with the location of individual base stations in the set). May be independent of Embodiments of such positioning may, for example, locate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, navigation device coordinates of latitude and longitude, or any wireless infrastructure that provides wireless services to the wireless transceiver 104. And other appropriate positioning data providing the location of the geographical signal analysis device 102 independent of the.

In at least one aspect of the invention, the comparison module 112 may obtain location information of the geographic signal analysis device 102 associated with the location of the wireless network infrastructure. In this case, the location information may include one or more base station IDs, which may be used to indicate the location of the base station serving wireless transceiver 104 and approximate the location of the geographic signal analysis device 102. have. In addition, the comparison module 112 may include the geographic area and geographic signal analysis apparatus 102 provided by the set of geographic data (which may also include, for example, a set of base station IDs for defining the geographic area). You can compare these approximated localizations.

If the location information of the geographic signal analysis device 102 and the set of geographic data are in a common format, the set of geographic data and location can be compared directly by the comparison module 112. If the data and information are in different formats, the comparison module 112 may be configured to perform one or more data transformations on the data or the information such that the data and the information are in comparable formats. In one embodiment, the comparison module 112 may convert the GPS data into one or more base station IDs or at least partially intersect the geographic area or into location or longitude location data. Other suitable data transformations can be used as well. For example, latitude or longitude location data may be converted to GPS data, one or more base station IDs, and the like. Thus, if the geographic data is in GPS coordinates, the positioning information is in latitude and longitude coordinates and the comparison module 112 converts the GPS coordinates into latitude and longitude coordinates before comparing the individual positioning coordinates. Or vice versa.

After comparing the location information and the geographic area, the comparison module 112 determines whether the geographic signal analysis device 102 is within the geographic area. For example, a determination may be made whether the location information and the geographic area overlap. If so, the comparison module 112 updates the triggering module 114 indicating that the geographic signal analysis device 102 is within a geographic area. On the other hand, the comparison module 112 determines that the location information and the geographic area do not overlap, and the triggering module 114 may also be updated with this information.

In addition to the foregoing, the comparison module 112 may compare the location information with the reporting area defined by the set of reporting data when such data is received from the wireless network. In such a case, the comparison module 112 determines whether the geographic signal analysis device 102 is within the reporting area based on the comparison of the positioning information and the reporting area. Based on this comparison, the comparison module 112 updates the triggering module as to whether the geographic signal analysis device 102 is within the reporting area.

The triggering module 114 may be configured in a manner that causes the measurement module 116 to initiate analysis of the downlink signals, or recording or logging of the analysis of the downlink signals, when the location is within the geographic area. Thus, triggering module 114 initiates data analysis or recording / logging of wireless network signals when geographic signal analysis device 102 is within a geographic area. In particular, the results of the data analysis may be stored in a second file, file ₂ 108B, of memory 108. In one aspect, the recorded / logged signal analysis may be uploaded to the network by the geographic signal analysis device 102. In another aspect, the geographic signal analysis device 102 stops uploading the results of signal analysis to the wireless network until it is within the reporting area, as determined by the comparison module 112. Thus, wireless signal analysis can be performed or recorded only if the geographic signal analysis device 102 is within a geographic area provided by a set of geographic data. In one option, the analysis results may be uploaded to the network immediately or at an appropriate time after the analysis is completed. However, in an alternative option, the results of the analysis are uploaded only when the geographic signal analysis device 102 enters the reporting area provided by the wireless network. In the latter case, managed reporting can be provided by the network, reducing uplink interference, network congestion, and the like.

As disclosed, the geographic signal analysis device 102 may facilitate significantly improved downlink signal analysis for wireless networking. First, the geographic signal analysis device 102 may reduce or eliminate the need to perform manual drive through tests by the wireless network personnel. Instead, the network operator identifies problem areas within the geographic area covered by the operator's wireless network infrastructure (eg, wireless towers, base stations, etc.) and generates sets of data defining these geographic areas. And transmit these data sets to mobile devices that are communicatively coupled with the wireless network infrastructure. Such a mobile device may include hardware updates, software updates, firmware updates, or such as geographic signal analysis device 102, or a similar device that provides similar functions as disclosed herein (see FIG. 8 above). It may be updated through one of the other similar kinds, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the mobile device uses the geographic signal analysis device 102 to receive and process a set of geographic data, and measure or record / record network signal measurements when the mobile device enters a geographic area defined by the set of geographic data. You can start logging. In that way, the mobile device can mitigate or eliminate the need for a member of the wireless operator to perform tedious drive through tests, such as associated with obtaining signal analysis data for problem areas within geographic areas. Dramatically reducing the cost and time required.

In addition to the above, in addition to mitigating or eliminating the need for manual drive through tests to obtain signal analysis for network problem areas, the geographic signal analysis device 102 also provides detailed and granular definitions of geographic areas. It is acceptable and further improves problem area analysis. Such granularity and accuracy may include, for example, a set of GPS coordinates, navigation latitude and longitude coordinates, which define geographic points that may form an enclosed area of geographic space (eg, by connecting geographic points), or Others of a similar kind, or appropriate combinations thereof, may be provided. For example, if a geographic problem area can be defined with high resolution and accuracy, there is a higher likelihood that the automated signal analysis data provided by the geographic signal analysis device 102 will fit for the geographic problem area itself. . Of course, network data tailored to a particular area may be very useful for characterizing the conditions within the area, and also more useful for determining sub-level performance within the area, or for inducing solutions to increase performance.

In accordance with yet other aspects, the geographic signal analysis device 102 may be configured for targeted reporting. Targeted reporting can be used, for example, to reduce uplink network loading or interference. As an example to illustrate the effectiveness of targeted reporting, a plurality of mobiles may receive a set of geographic data defining a problem geographic area, enter a problem geographic area, and record signal analysis measurements as disclosed herein. Consider the devices. If these mobile devices upload the results of their individual measurements simultaneously, the mobile devices can give a significant designation to the uplink channels of the wireless network. To alleviate this problem, a set of reporting data defining one or more reporting areas can be distributed to this mobile device. In this case, the mobile devices can stop uploading the results of their individual measurements until they are in the reporting area. Thus, if the reporting area is outside the geographic area or optionally distributed across nearby cells of the wireless network, the network loading associated with uploading may be distributed among more base stations and more wireless uplink channels. . In at least one aspect, different reporting areas may be distributed to different sets of mobile devices to limit the amount of uplink traffic that will occur in any given reporting area as a result of uploading. In another aspect, one or more preferred reporting regions and one or more default reporting regions may be included in the set of reporting data. In this aspect, the mobile device configured with the geographic signal analysis apparatus 102 may stop uploading the measurement results of the geographic area until the mobile device is within the preferred reporting area (s). When a predetermined condition or set of conditions occurs, the geographic signal analysis device 102 may then upload the measurement results at any place within the default reporting area (s). One exemplary condition for causing uploading in the default reporting area (s) instead of the preferred reporting area is the expiration of the preferred reporting time, the receipt of an upload message from the wireless network (eg, when the network load is below a threshold level). , Or other similar kinds, or a suitable combination thereof. The condition or set of conditions may be that mobile devices do not enter the preferred reporting area (s), for example, after the preferred time period expires, or when the network load drops below the threshold level. It can be configured to upload the measurement results.

In at least one additional aspect of the invention, the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data may be configured to include separate sets of base station IDs respectively to define the geographic area and the reporting area. Although less detailed than GPS coordinates, using base station IDs to define a geographic area and a reporting area is at least in a variation (eg, a firmware update or software update that includes at least a subset of the geographic signal analysis device 102). And may even enable legacy mobile devices to provide automated downlink signal analysis and reporting. In one particular embodiment, the mobile device can obtain the ID of the serving base station and use this ID as a proxy for the current location of the mobile device. This ID is associated with the set of base station IDs defining the geographic area to determine whether such a mobile device is within the geographic area (eg, if the serving base station ID is equal to one of the set of base station IDs defining the geographic area). Can be compared. Similarly, this ID may also be compared to a set of base station IDs defining the reporting area to determine whether such a mobile device is within the reporting area. If the mobile device is in a geographic area, the mobile device may begin recording / logging of downlink measurements as disclosed herein, and similarly, if the mobile device is in a reporting area, the mobile device may be recorded / logging. Downlink measurements can be uploaded. The invention is not, however, limited to the embodiments described above, and other embodiments of implementation of geographic based signal analysis and reporting are contemplated within the scope of the invention.

2 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 200 that provides network managed analysis and reporting of specific geographic areas served by a wireless network, in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention. System 200 includes a wireless management network 204 (eg, a network of wireless operators) that is at least partially communicatively coupled to wireless base station 202 via network interface 212. The radio management network 204 may be configured to define a geographic area served by a wireless infrastructure (eg, including the base station 202) that serves a wireless network associated with the radio management network 204. It may include the network geographic entity 214 that generates the set. The set of geographic data may be forwarded to the base station 202 via the network interface 212.

Network geographic entity 214 may generate a set of reporting data to define a reporting area within the wireless network. In at least one aspect of the invention, the reporting area may be different from the geographic area. In other aspects, the reporting area may at least partially overlap the geographic area. In still other aspects, the reporting area may include a preferred reporting area and a default reporting area, wherein the preferred reporting area does not overlap the geographic area, and the default reporting area at least partially overlaps the geographic area. In one aspect of the invention, network geographic entity 214 may forward the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data to base station 202 via a control plane interface used by network interface 212. In this aspect, network geographic entity 214 may include a network manager, domain manager, or element manager, or the like, or a suitable combination thereof, and network interface 212 may include a control plane management interface. In another aspect of the invention, the radio management network 204 is capable of communicating with a user equipment (UE) via a radio link and a base station 202 between the UE and the base station 202 (not shown, but see FIG. 2 below). Can be connected. In this aspect, the network interface 212 may use a user plane protocol (eg, open mobile alliance device management [OMA-DM] protocol). In this aspect, the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data are transmitted through the base station 202 transparently (for base station 202), for example, over a traffic channel. In addition, network interface 212 may include a device management server or other suitable entity in this later aspect.

In addition to the foregoing, the base station 202 may include or be connected to the geographic control device 206. The geographic control device 206 can be configured to distribute the set of geographic data to mobile devices (not shown) served by the base station 202. In particular, the geographic control device 206 may include a communication interface 216 for electronic communication with the wireless transceiver of the base station 202 and the wireless management network 204. In particular, communication interface 216 may obtain, by base station 202, a set of reporting data or a set of geographic data from network geographic entity 214. Individual sets of data may be stored in memory 210 for further processing by geographic control device 206. Additionally, memory 210 may be configured to store wireless protocols for transmitting data to or receiving data from user equipment (UE-not shown) via a wireless transceiver of base station 202 and executing modules. The data processor 208 is configured to implement wireless protocols. In addition to the above, a data management module for obtaining a set of reporting data defining a reporting area and a set of geographical data defining a geographic area from the wireless management network 204 or from the memory 210 via the communication interface 216. 218 may include. In at least one aspect of the invention, the data management module 218 converts the set of geographic data (or set of reporting data) into a format that matches the location identification capabilities of the UE. For example, if the UE is configured to analyze GPS coordinates, the data management module 218 can convert the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data into GPS coordinates. However, the data management module 218 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various formats (eg, GPS coordinates, latitude and longitude coordinates, base station IDs, etc.) provided by the network geographical entity 214. The set of geographic data from and the set of reporting data can be converted into a format that matches the location identification capabilities of the UE.

In addition to the foregoing, the geographic control device 206 may include a command module 220 for transmitting the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data to the UE via the wireless transceiver of the base station 202. In at least one aspect, transmitting the set of reporting data or the set of geographic data causes the UE to record the set of measurements of the wireless network when the UE is in the geographic area and upload the set of measurements when the UE is in the reporting area. It can be configured to. When the base station 202 is in a reporting area and receives a set of measurements from the UE, the base station 202 is sent to the network geographic entity 214 or to the wireless management network 204 for analysis by the network geographic entity 214. The set of measurements may be forwarded to another suitable component (eg, a processing component installed by a wireless network operator).

In one aspect of the invention, a network geographic entity

2 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 300 for providing geo-based downlink signal analysis and reporting for a wireless network in accordance with additional aspects of the invention. System 300 includes mobile device 302 communicatively connected by network entity 304 and wireless link 306. Network entity 304 may include a base station, a wireless relay, a wireless repeater, and the like, and may optionally include one or more components of a wireless management network (eg, network geographic entity 214). Mobile device 302 may include any suitable mobile wireless communication device including an access terminal, UE, laptop computer, PDA, cellular telephone, smartphone, and the like. As disclosed in more detail below, network entity 304 and mobile device 302 are configured to implement the geo-based signal analysis and reporting provided herein.

Network entity 304 may include geographic control device 308. The geographic control device may be substantially similar to the geographic control device 206. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The geographic control device 308 may include a geographic area corresponding to a wireless network (e.g., that geographic area is determined by the network operator, such as customer complaints, relatively high disconnect rates, poor throughput, and poor signal strength). Or an area associated with signal quality strength, etc.). In one aspect of the invention, the set of geographic data may include GPS coordinates that define the geographic area. In other aspects, the set of geographic data may include latitude and longitude coordinates that define the geographic area. In at least one other aspect, the set of geographic data may include network-dependent coordinates (eg, a set of base station IDs) that define the geographic area. In at least one particular aspect, the set of geographic data may comprise a combination of coordinates or similar coordinates of the type described above.

In some aspects of the invention, the geographic control device 308 may generate a set of reporting data defining a reporting area in addition to or instead of the set of geographic data. Similar to the set of geographic data, the set of reporting data may include various data formats to define the reporting area. In one aspect, the set of reporting data may include coordinates independent of the wireless network infrastructure. The set of reporting data may include global positioning system coordinates or latitude and longitude coordinates. In another aspect, the set of reporting data may include network-dependent coordinates. Embodiments of network-dependent coordinates include base station identifiers assigned to a cell of a wireless network associated with a defined geographic area, or include a base station with a defined location. The base station identifiers can optionally include the base station identifier of the wireless transceiver associated with the network entity 304.

According to certain aspects of the invention, network entity 304 may include a version module 310 that queries mobile device 302 to determine location identification capabilities of mobile device 302. In some aspects of the invention, the mobile device 302 may be configured to transmit an upload message 310A that includes a coordinate system used by or compatible with the mobile device 302. Thus, location identification capabilities may be based on a GPS coordinate system, a latitude and longitude coordinate system, a network-dependent coordinate system, or other suitable coordinate system. The version module 310 obtains from the mobile device 302 an upload message 310A regarding location identification capabilities, extracts the coordinate system used by the mobile device 302 therefrom, and sends it to the geographic control device 308. Forward the coordinate system. In these aspects of the invention, the geographic control device 308 may be configured to convert the set of geographic data or the set of reporting data into a format that matches the location identification capabilities of the mobile device 302 (eg, From the default coordinate system used by the mobile device 302 to generate a set of geographic data or a set of reporting data).

Once generated and optionally transformed to match the location identification capabilities of the mobile device 302, the geographic control device 308 generates a wireless message 308A that includes a set of geographic data or a set of reporting data to provide wireless Send a message 308A to the mobile device 302. The mobile device 302 can include a geographic signal analysis device 312 that obtains a wireless message 308A from a wireless transceiver (not shown) of the mobile device 302. In at least one aspect of the invention, the geographic signal analysis device 312 may be substantially similar to the geographic signal analysis device 102 of FIG. 1 above. However, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this aspect (s).

Upon receipt of wireless message 308A, geographic signal analysis device 312 can extract a set of geographic data or a set of reporting data therefrom. The mobile device 302 can include a positioning module 314 for obtaining or generating data that provides positioning of the mobile device 302. In one aspect, the location module 314 includes a client application of a GPS device that provides global location coordinates for data providing location. In another aspect, the positioning module 314 includes a client application of a navigation device that provides latitude and longitude coordinates for the data providing positioning. In another aspect, the location module 314 uses the base station identifier (base station ID) of the serving base station (eg, associated with the network entity 304) and locates the mobile device 302 from the base station ID. Infer

The geographic signal analysis device 312 may be configured to compare the positioning to a geographic area defined by the set of geographic data, or to compare the positioning to a reporting area defined by the set of reporting data. Based on the comparison (s), the geographic signal analysis apparatus 312 can determine if there is a mobile device 302 within the geographic area or reporting area. If within the geographic area, the geographic signal analysis apparatus 312 initiates or logs the logging of signal analysis measurements performed by the mobile device 302 of received downlink signals if it has not already been performed by the mobile device 302. Trigger analytical measurements. The mobile device 302 can further include a termination module 316 that causes the mobile device 302 to terminate the analysis of downlink signals, or the logging of signal analysis measurements if the location is outside the geographic area. .

Signal analysis measurements logged by mobile device 202 are uploaded to network entity 304 in upload message 318A. To facilitate managed reporting, to reduce uplink load on the network entity 304 (eg, within the geographic area), the mobile device 302 signals when the mobile device 302 is within the reporting area. It may include a reporting module 318 that uploads an upload message 318A that includes a set of signal analysis data inferred from the analysis measurements. In one aspect, the reporting area includes a preferred reporting area and a default reporting area, and optionally a preferred reporting time. In this aspect, the reporting module 318 simply uploads the results of the data analysis if the mobile device 302 is within the preferred reporting area, or alternatively, the preferred reporting time has expired or the mobile device 302 reports default reporting. As long as it is not in the area, it stops uploading the results of the data analysis if the mobile device 302 is not in the preferred reporting area.

In accordance with at least one particular aspect of the invention, wireless message 308A, upload message 310A, and upload message 318A may be transmitted using various network channels associated with wireless link 306. In one aspect, these messages may be sent and received via a control plane protocol of a wireless network, such as the RRC protocol. In another aspect, messages can be sent and received using user plane protocols of a wireless network. In the latter case, mobile device 302 or geographic signal analysis device 312 may use a client application that uses a user plane protocol to interface with a network server application included in network entity 304 or geographic control device 308. C) may be further included. The server application may generate user plane data packets to form a wireless message 308A, and similarly, the client application may generate uplink user plane data packets to form an upload message 310A and an upload message 318A. Can be generated. Accordingly, the client application extracts the reporting data or geographic data from within these user plane data packets of the wireless message 308A provided by the network server application, and the data in the upload message 318A for transmission to the network server application. Embed the results of the analysis.

4 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary geographic coverage area 400 for a wireless network in accordance with aspects of the invention. Geographic coverage area 400 includes cells 402A, 402B, 402C, 402D, 402E, 402F, 402G, 402H, 4021, 402J (collectively cells 402A-402J) that cover at least a portion of geographic coverage area 400. Is divided into a set of wireless network cells. Additionally, multiple cells 402A-402J include a wireless network infrastructure for providing wireless communication services to remote wireless devices. In particular, the set of base stations, including base stations 404A, 404B, 404D, 404E, 404G, 404H, 4041, 404J (collectively referred to as base stations 404A-404J) may be a plurality of cells 402A-402J. As shown. In geographic coverage area 400, a physical structure, such as a road or highway 406, is shown with thick solid lines. This highway 406 intersects multiple cells 402A-402J and further crosses the center of two cells 402C and 402F. As a result, cells 402C and 402F do not include a base station or other infrastructure to provide wireless services within cell 402C. Proximity cells may attempt to service wireless devices within cells 402C and 402F, but service may be relatively poor, particularly toward the center of these cells 402C and 402F.

As an example, a wireless network operator serving geographic coverage area 400 generates data defining geographic area 410 within geographic coverage area 400. This geographic area 410 may be identified as a result of customer complaints, or network-compiled policies such as call break rate. The wireless network operator may then define a geographic area 410 as disclosed herein, and generate a set of geographic data, such as using GPS coordinates or latitude and longitude coordinates. The set of geographic data may be forwarded into geographic coverage area 400 by one or more base stations 404A- 404J to one or more UEs 408A, 408B. Upon receipt of the set of geographic data, the UEs 408A, 408B may send their current location (eg, GPS coordinates or latitude and longitude coordinates) to the set of geographic data defining the geographic region 410. Can be compared. Once a UE determines that it is inside a geographic area 410 such as UE 408B, such UE 408B records or logs downlink signal measurements received from one or more of base stations 404A- 404J. can do. The results of these downlink signal measurements may then be returned to the network operator in an upload message sent to any suitable base station 404A- 404J within the geographic coverage area 400. Thus, by using the UEs 408A, 408B to perform signal analysis measurements, a significant cost can be saved in obtaining these measurements. In addition, a well-defined geographic area 410 can be set, limiting the analysis for the well-defined area, and processing overhead of the UEs 408A, 408B only in the time spent in the geographic area 410. And mitigate signaling overhead. Thus, signal analysis measurements can be tailored to a specific area that can be well defined with an accurate coordinate system, conserving network resources rather than UE resources.

5 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary geographic coverage area 500 in accordance with additional aspects of the invention. In particular, geographic coverage area 500 illustrates one embodiment of geo-based network signal analysis and targeted reporting. The geographic coverage area 500 is divided into a set of wireless network cells, as shown by the hexagonal dotted lines of the geographic coverage area 500. In addition, three of these wireless network cells, cells 508A, 508B, 508C, overlap the geographic area 502 corresponding to the wireless network operator providing wireless services to the geographic coverage area 500. The geographic area 502 may be an area of poor quality of service as disclosed herein, or some other applicable feature (eg, a non-operating base station, a potential extended area for wireless network infrastructure, etc.) Can have As disclosed, the geographic region 502 includes some of the cells 508A, 508B, 508C, but does not include all of these cells 508A, 508B, 508C. To define this area, the set of geographic data defining geographic area 502 can utilize a coordinate system independent of the wireless network infrastructure that is deployed throughout geographic coverage area 500. This allows geographic region 502 to be defined as a subset of one or more cells, as disclosed, rather than all regions within one or more cells. Some embodiments of such a coordinate system may include a GPS coordinate system or a navigation coordinate system that includes latitude and longitude information.

As disclosed herein, the network entity may forward a set of geographic data that defines a geographic area 502 corresponding to the UE 506. Upon receipt of the set of geographic data, the UE 506 can obtain location information for the UE and determine whether the UE 506 is within the geographic area 502. Upon entering geographic area 502, UE 506 may begin logging downlink signal measurements for downlink wireless signals received at UE 506. Upon leaving geographic area 502, UE 506 may terminate logging of downlink signal measurements.

In addition to the foregoing, the network entity may forward a set of reporting data that defines the reporting area 504. Although the invention is not so limited, in this case, reporting area 504 includes two cells 510A, 510B of geographic coverage area 500. In other aspects, the reporting area is, for example, geographic area. It may include a subset of one or more cells similar to 502.

Upon entering the reporting area 504, the UE 506 can upload the results of the downlink signal measurements. Typically, such uploading may include sending results to base station serving cell 510B; However, other wireless network interfaces other than the base station can be used for the dash (eg wireless repeater, wireless relay). By using both geographic area 502 and reporting area 504, the network entity can limit uplink loading to report downlink signal measurements. In particular, this is the case, for example, if geographic area 502 includes multiple UEs. This may facilitate reliable reporting while mitigating uplink network load, for example if all UEs entering the geographic area 502 upload the results of individual signal analysis measurements immediately.

6 illustrates a diagram of a sample geographic coverage area 600 in accordance with still other aspects of the invention. Geographic coverage area 600 includes reporting area 604 as well as corresponding geographic area 602. In particular, geographic area 602 includes a single cell 608A of geographic coverage area 600, while reporting area 604 includes two cells 610A, 610B of geographic coverage area 600. Since the geographic area 602 and the reporting area 604 include areas of one or more network cells, the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data defining the geographic area 602 and the reporting area 604 respectively may be defined as cells ( Individual base station IDs associated with separate sets of 608A and 610A, 610B. As disclosed herein, a set of geographic data and a set of reporting data can be forwarded to the UE 606. Upon receipt of such data, the UE 606 identifies the serving base station ID of the base station serving UE 606 and identifies the serving base station ID (or, for example, the location of the serving base station provided by the serving base station) and the UE ( 606 may be associated with positioning. By comparing the serving base station IDs with the individual base station IDs of the geographic area 602 and the reporting area 604, the UE 606 determines whether the UE 606 is within the geographic area 602 or the reporting area 604. Can be. In this way, legacy devices without GPS or other navigation tools may still participate in geo-based downlink signal measurements and targeted reporting to facilitate automated network signal analysis. Such a configuration may extend the number of participating UEs of the signal analysis and targeted reporting disclosed herein. In addition, such a configuration may be achieved with or without a minimal change to the UE 606 as compared to other configurations using more complex geographic location coordinates. Thus, the configuration of FIG. 6 provides a cost effective mechanism for achieving signal analysis and targeted reporting.

7 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 700 that includes a base station 702 in accordance with certain aspects of the invention. Base station 702 may be configured to provide geo-based signal analysis and targeted reporting in a wireless network. In particular, base station 702 may be configured to manage the recording or logging of downlink signal analysis measurements of one or more UEs 704 served by base station 702. By providing such management, base station 702 can achieve automated signal analysis of corresponding geographic areas in the coverage area served by the wireless network.

The base station 702 (eg, access point, ...) is connected to a receiver 710 and a modulator 728 that obtain wireless signals from the UE (s) 704 via one or more receive antennas 706. And a transmitter 730 that transmits the coded / modulated wireless signals provided by the transmit antenna (s) 708 to the UE (s) 704. In conjunction with receiver 710 and transmitter 730, receive antenna (s) 706 and transmit antenna (s) 708 allow for wireless data exchange with UE (s) 704 as disclosed herein. It may include a set of wireless transceivers to implement.

Receiver 710 may obtain information from receive antennas 706 and may further include a single receiving side (not shown) that receives uplink data transmitted by UE (s) 704. In addition, the receiver 710 is operatively associated with a demodulator 712 that demodulates the received information. The demodulated symbols are analyzed by the data processor 714. The data processor 714 is coupled to a memory 716 that stores information related to the functions provided or implemented by the base station 702.

In particular, the base station 702 may be configured to trigger the analysis and recording of downlink signals transmitted by the base station 702 or other base stations in the associated wireless network, respectively, and to trigger uploading of the results of the analysis. It may include a geographic control device 718 is configured to define. In particular, the geographic control device 718 defines a geographic area from the communication interface 732 of the base station 702 that is communicatively coupled with a wireless management network (eg, a wireless operator associated with the base station 702). And a data management module for obtaining the set of geographical data and the set of reporting data defining the reporting area.

In addition to the above, the geographic control device 718 causes the UE (s) 704 to record a set of measurements of wireless network signals when the UE is in a geographic area, and to record the set of measurements when the UE is in a reporting area. In order to facilitate uploading, it may include a command module 722 that transmits a set of geographical data and a set of reporting data to the UE (s) 704 via a wireless transceiver of the base station 702. In one aspect, the command module 722 utilizes a control plane protocol for forwarding the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data to the UE (s) 704. In another aspect, the command module 722 can use a user plane protocol to forward the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data to the UE (s) 704. In this latter aspect, the command module 722 may include a server application that includes a set of geographic data and a set of reporting data in application data packets sent to the UE (s) 704. In an alternative aspect, the server application may be part of a wireless management network, and the command module 722 may simply relay application data packets to the UE (s) 704 including the set of geographical data and the set of reporting data. have.

According to yet other aspects, the command module 722 may send the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data when the UE (s) 704 has an active wireless connection with the base station 702. Use a unicast message to send a message. In an alternative aspect, the command module 722 broadcasts the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data to the UE (s) 704 when the UE (s) 704 are in an idle state. Use a message.

In addition to the above, the geographic control apparatus may query the UE (s) 704 to determine the location identification capabilities of the UE (s) 704 and obtain a response from the UE 704 with respect to the location identification capabilities. Module 726 may be included. In this case, data management module 720 converts the set of geographic data to a format that matches the location identification capabilities of UE (s) 704. In particular, the format may include GPS coordinates where the location identification capabilities of the UE (s) 704 include GPS analysis. Alternatively, the format may include latitude and longitude coordinates if the location identification capabilities of the UE include latitude and longitude analysis. As another alternative, the format may include a set of base station IDs for which the geographic area serves at least a subset if the location identification capabilities of the UE are limited to network-based positioning.

In another aspect, the geographic control device 718 can use the receiving module 724. The receiving module 724 may be configured to receive uplink messages from the UE (s) 704 belonging to the set of geographic data. In one embodiment, the receiving module 724 obtains a set of signal measurements from the UE (s) 704 via the wireless transceiver of the base station 702 when the base station 702 is in a reporting area. The set of signal measurements may then be forwarded to the wireless management network via the communication interface 732. In at least one aspect, the set of signal measurements is received within a set of application data packets transmitted using user plane protocols used by the base station 702. In this aspect (s), the receiving module 724 simply relays the set of application data packets to the wireless management network.

8 illustrates a block diagram of an example system including an AT 802 configured for wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the invention. AT 802 may be configured to wirelessly connect with one or more base stations 804 (eg, an access point) of a wireless network. Based on such a configuration, AT 802 may receive wireless signals from base station (s) 804 on the forward link channel and respond to wireless signals on the reverse link channel. In addition, AT 802 analyzes the received wireless signals, extracts a set of geographic data defining a geographic area or a set of reporting data defining a reporting area, as disclosed herein, and AT 802. Determine whether is within a geographic or reporting area, and may include instructions stored in memory 814 for performing network signal analysis, reporting of such analysis, and the like.

AT 802 includes at least one antenna 806 (eg, a group of such interfaces including a wireless transmit / receive interface or an input / output interface) that receives a signal and a receiver (s) 808 This performs common operations (eg, filtering, amplification, downconversion, etc.) on the received signal. In general, antenna 806 and transmitter 832 (collectively referred to as a transceiver) may be configured to facilitate wireless data exchange with base station (s) 804. In addition, demodulator 810 and modulator 830 as well as antenna 806, receiver 808, and transmitter 832 may be used to implement data exchange between base station (s) 804 and AT 802. It may form a set of wireless transceivers.

Antenna 806 and receiver (s) 808 may be coupled with a demodulator 810 that may demodulate received symbols and provide such signals to data processor (s) 812 for evaluation. The data processor (s) 812 may include one or more components of the AT 802 (antenna 806, receiver 808, demodulator 810, memory 814, geographic signal analysis device 816, modulator 830). It is to be appreciated that the transmitter 832 can be controlled and / or referenced. In addition, the data processor (s) 812 may include one or more modules, applications, engines, etc. (geographic signal analysis device 816) that include controls or information pertaining to executing the functions of the AT 802. You can run For example, such functions may include geo-based downlink signal analysis or targeted reporting as disclosed herein.

Memory 814 of the AT 802 is operatively coupled to the data processor (s) 812. Memory 814 may store data to be sent, data to be received, and the like, and instructions suitable for performing wireless communication with a remote device. In addition, the memory 814 can be a reservoir or can be communicatively coupled with the geographic signal analysis device 816. Geographic signal analysis device 816 may include modules for implementing geo-based downlink signal analysis and targeted reporting executed by data processor 812. In particular, the modules can include a measurement module 818 that performs data analysis of received wireless signals. In addition, the modules may include a comparison module 820 that monitors data providing positioning of the AT 802 and compares the positioning with a geographic area defined by the set of geographic data. Triggering module 822 causes measurement module 818 to initiate analysis of downlink signals when the location is within a geographic area. In addition, the termination module 824 causes the measurement module 818 to terminate the recording of the analysis or the analysis of the downlink signals when the location is outside the geographic area.

In at least one aspect of the invention, the comparison module 820 further compares the positioning to the reporting area and determines whether the device is within the reporting area. In this aspect (s), a reporting module 828 may be used that uploads a set of signal analysis data inferred from the data analysis if the device is in the reporting area. According to a particular aspect, the reporting area includes a preferred reporting area and a default reporting area, and optionally a preferred reporting time. In such case, the reporting module 828 may alternatively perform one of a number of operations. As a first alternative, the reporting module 828 uploads the results of the data analysis if the device is only in the preferred reporting area. As a second alternative, the reporting module 828 stops uploading the results of the data analysis unless the device is within the preferred reporting area, unless the preferred reporting time expires. However, if the preferred reporting time expires, the reporting module 828 uploads the results of the data analysis at any place within the default reporting area.

In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the geographic signal analysis apparatus 816 may include a positioning module 826 for obtaining or at least partially generating data providing positioning of the AT 802. As one embodiment, the positioning module 826 includes a client application of a GPS device that provides global positioning coordinates for data providing positioning of the AT 802. As another embodiment, the positioning module 826 uses the base station identifier (base station ID) of the serving base station (eg, base station 804) and infers the positioning of the AT 802 from the base station ID. In yet another embodiment, the positioning module 826 includes a client application of a navigation device that provides latitude and longitude coordinates for the data providing positioning of the AT 802.

The above-mentioned systems or apparatuses have been described with regard to interaction between multiple components, modules and / or communication interfaces. Such systems and components / modules / interfaces may include such components / modules or sub-modules as specified, some of the specified components / modules or sub-modules, and / or additional modules. Be aware. For example, the system may include an AT 802 that includes a geographic signal analysis device 102 and a base station 702 that includes a geographic control device 206, or a different combination of these or other modules. Sub-modules may also be implemented as modules communicatively coupled to other modules than included in parent modules. In addition, it should be noted that one or more modules may be combined into a single module that provides total functionality. For example, data management module 218 may include command module 220 to facilitate acquisition of geographic data and reporting data and transmission of such data to a UE by a single component, or vice versa. have. The components may also interact with one or more other components that are known by those of ordinary skill in the art but are not explicitly described herein.

In addition, as will be appreciated, the following methods and various portions of the disclosed systems may comprise artificial intelligence or knowledge or rule-based components, sub-components, processes, means, methods, or mechanisms (eg, For example, it may include or consist of support vector machines, neutral networks, expert systems, Bayesian belief networks, fuzzy logic, data fusion engines, classifiers, ...). Among other things and in addition to those already described herein, such components automate certain mechanisms or processes that are performed, making portions of systems and methods efficient, intelligent as well as more adaptable.

In view of the exemplary systems disclosed above, methods that may be implemented in accordance with the disclosed invention will be better understood with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9-12. For simplicity of description, the methods are shown and described as a series of acts, but the invention is limited to the order of blocks as some acts may occur in a different order and / or concurrently with other acts as shown and described herein. Will understand and recognize that it does not. Moreover, not all blocks that may be required to implement the methods described below are illustrated. Additionally, it should be further appreciated that the methods described below and throughout this specification may be stored on an article of manufacture to facilitate transfer and transfer of such methods to computers. . When used, the word article of manufacture is intended to include any computer-readable device, a device having a carrier, or a computer program accessible from a storage medium.

9 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 900 for providing geo-based downlink signal analysis in accordance with aspects of the invention. At 902, method 900 may include using a communication interface to forward data defining a geographic area to a UE operating within a wireless network. In at least one aspect of the invention, the data defines a geographic area with geographic coordinates independent of the wireless network infrastructure (eg, network base stations or network cells). At 904, the method 900 may include using the communication interface to measure signals of the wireless network when the UE is in a geographic area and forward a trigger policy to the UE that causes the recording of a set of signal measurements. .

In some aspects, it should be appreciated that using the communication interface may in particular include using the communication interface to forward data and trigger policies to the UE via the base station of the wireless network. In at least one aspect, the trigger policy may include an explicit command for the UE, while in other aspects the trigger policy is implied based on the step of forwarding data defining the geographic area to the UE. ) Command. In some aspects, the trigger policy may include a policy for triggering signal analysis (eg, signal measurement) or recording of such signal analysis based on one or more policy conditions in addition to the geographic location of the UE. In at least one such aspect, the trigger policy may include an explicit trigger command that may cause real time triggering of signal analysis or recording based on one or more policy conditions. In addition to the geographic location, one or more conditions may also include available UE battery energy, available storage capacity, available UE memory capacity, time of day for recording, and the like. The trigger policy may also provide one or more conditions in addition to the geographic location for reporting the results of signal analysis and recording, such as the time of day for reporting. Thus, as an illustrative embodiment, the trigger policy should be initiated when signal analysis or recording is within the geographic area and the UE battery power exceeds the threshold level, only when entering the geographic area and when the UE battery power is at the threshold level. Only when exceeding states the UE will initiate signal measurements and its recording. However, as other embodiments of the conditions for the trigger policy are within the scope of the invention, this embodiment is not exclusive.

Additionally, using the communication interface to forward data defining the geographic area may first include using the communication interface to obtain data defining the geographic area from a wireless management network associated with the wireless network. Further, using the communication interface to forward data defining the geographic area may further comprise using the extended control plane protocol of the wireless network, or alternatively configured to include data defining the geographic area. Using the user plane protocol of the wireless network. In this latter aspect, the method 900 may optionally include initiating a network server application to generate a set of user plane data packets that include a trigger policy or data defining a geographic area. The network server application may then be used to send a set of user plane data packets to the UE and to receive a set of uploaded data packets from the UE that includes the set of signal measurements.

According to yet other aspects, the method 900 may include using GPS coordinates for geographic coordinates. However, in an alternative aspect, the method 900 may include using geographic latitude and longitude coordinates for the geographic coordinates. According to one particular aspect of the invention, the method 900 may further comprise forwarding the set of data defining the geographic area to the UE, where the UE sets the signal measurements only when the UE is in the reporting area. Upload The method 900 may use an appropriate set of GPS coordinates, latitude and longitude coordinates, base station IDs to define a geographic area.

10 shows a flowchart of another exemplary method 1000 in accordance with other aspects of the invention. At 1002, the method 1000 may include establishing a communication connection with a wireless management network. At 1004, the method 1000 may include obtaining from the wireless management network a set of geographic data defining a geographic area and a set of reporting data defining a reporting area. Additionally, at 1006, the method 1000 may include obtaining location identification capabilities of a UE operating within the wireless network. At 1008, the method 1000 may make a determination as to whether the set of geographic data or the set of reporting data is in a format consistent with the location identification capabilities of the UE. If it is a matching format, the method 1000 proceeds to 1012. If not, the method 1000 proceeds to 1010.

At 1010, the method 1000 may modify the set of geographic data or the set of reporting data to match the location identification capabilities of the UE. The modifying can further include, for example, converting GPS coordinates to latitude and longitude coordinates, or to a set of base station IDs that at least partially overlap the geographic area defined by the GPS coordinates. Alternatively, the modifying step can include converting latitude and longitude coordinates into GPS coordinates or latitude and longitude coordinates, or the like.

At 1012, the method 1000 may include forwarding the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data to the UE. At 1014, the method 1000 may include receiving an upload from the UE if the serving base station is in the reporting area. At 1016, the method 1000 may include relaying the upload to a wireless management network.

11 shows a flowchart of an example method 1100 for implementing geographic based downlink signal analysis in accordance with yet another disclosed aspect. At 1102, the method 1100 may include using the wireless transceiver to obtain a set of geographic data that defines a geographic area of the wireless network. Thus, a geographic area can be defined with a resolution that is larger than the size of the cells of the wireless network, thus defining a geographic area that includes a subset of one or more cells.

As an embodiment of the foregoing, obtaining a set of geographic data may include using a control plane protocol of a wireless network. For example, the set of geographic data may be in a unicast message targeted for the UE or in a brocast message if the UE is in an idle state. In at least one aspect, the geographic data may be independent of base station instructions of the wireless network. As an alternative embodiment, acquiring the set of geographic data may comprise using a user plane protocol, where the set of geographic data is included in the payload of one or more data packets generated by the network server. According to this alternative embodiment, the method 1100 may further comprise using a client application to extract a set of geographic data from one or more data packets.

At 1104, the method 1100 may include using a data processor to analyze data indicative of the location of the UE and comparing the location with a geographic area. As a specific embodiment, such data indicative of the location of the UE may include the ID of the base station serving the UE. In addition, the geographic data defining the geographic area may further comprise a set of base station IDs of the wireless network.

Additionally, at 1106, the method 1100 includes using a data processor to initiate signal analysis measurements of the wireless network when the UE is in a geographic area and recording a set of signal measurements for uploading to the wireless network. It may include. In particular, measuring signals in a wireless network includes measuring at least one of signal strength, quality of signal strength, quality at signal peak levels, call disconnection rate, setup success rate, or throughput, or a suitable combination thereof. It may further include.

According to certain aspects, the method 1100 may further comprise obtaining a set of reporting data defining a reporting area of a wireless network for uploading a set of signal measurements. In such aspects, the method 1100 may further include stopping uploading the set of signal measurements to the wireless network as long as the UE is not in the reporting area. In at least one aspect, the reporting area comprises a preferred reporting area and a preferred reporting time. In such aspect (s), the method 1100 may alternatively include stopping uploading the set of signal measurements unless there is a UE in the reporting area if the preferred reporting time has not expired. Similarly, if the preferred reporting time has expired, the method 1100 may instead include uploading the set of signal measurements at any place within the wireless network.

12 illustrates a flowchart of a sample method 1220 in accordance with one or more additional aspects of the invention. At 1202, the method 1200 may include receiving a set of geographic data and a set of reporting data via wireless communication. At 1204, the method 1200 may include obtaining location data indicating location confirmation of the UE. At 1206, the method 1200 may include comparing the location of the UE with a geographic area defined by the set of geographic data. At 1208, the method 1200 may include determining whether the location of the UE overlaps the geographic area. If the location of the UE overlaps the geographic area, the method 1200 may proceed to 1210. If not overlap, the method 1200 returns to reference numeral 1206.

At 1210, the method 1200 includes analysis of the downlink signals and may log or store the results of the analysis. At 1212, the method 1200 may include comparing the UE location with a geographic area and a reporting area, where the reporting area includes a preferred reporting area and a preferred reporting time. At 1214, the method 1200 may include determining whether the location of the UE overlaps with the preferred reporting area. If the location of the UE overlaps with the preferred reporting area, the method 1200 may proceed to 1218; Otherwise, the method 1200 proceeds to 1216.

At 1216, the method 1200 may include determining whether the preference time has expired. If the preference time has expired, the method may proceed to method 1200 reference number 1218. Otherwise, the method 1200 proceeds to 1220.

At 1218, the method 1200 may include uploading the results of the analysis. At 1220, the method 1200 may include determining whether the location of the UE overlaps the geographic area. If the location of the UE overlaps the geographic area, the method 1200 returns to reference numeral 1212; Otherwise, the method 1200 proceeds to 1222. At 1222, the method 1200 may include ending the analysis, or storing the analysis of the downlink signals, and may return to reference numeral 1206.

13 and 14 illustrate individual example systems 1300, 1400 for implementing retransmission protocols for enhanced acknowledgment and wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the invention. For example, the systems 1300, 1400 may reside at least partially in a wireless receiver network and / or in a wireless receiver such as a node, base station, access point, user terminal, personal computer coupled with a mobile interface card, and / or the like. The systems 1300, 1400 are represented as including functional blocks, which may be functional blocks representing functions implemented by a processor, software, or a combination thereof (eg, firmware).

The system 1300 may include a memory 1302 for storing modules configured to execute the functions of the system 1300, including managing geographic based signal analysis of the wireless network. In addition, system 1300 may include a processor 1308 to execute modules. In particular, the system 1300 includes a module 1304 for forwarding data defining a geographic area to a UE operating within a wireless network. The data defining the geographic area may in particular comprise data defining the geographic area independent of the wireless network infrastructure. In addition, the system 1300 may include a module 1306 for forwarding a trigger policy to the UE that causes the UE to measure signals in the wireless network when the UE is in a geographic area and to record a set of signal measurements. .

System 1400 may include a memory 1402 for storing modules configured to implement the functions of system 1400 and a data processor 1410 for executing the modules, the functions being located in system 1400. Determining the confirmation and recording of the downlink signal measurements based at least in part on the location confirmation and targeted reporting of such measurements. In particular, the system 1400 may include a module 1404 for using the wireless transceiver of the system 1400 to obtain a set of geographic data that defines a geographic area independently of the base station infrastructure of the wireless network. Additionally, system 1400 may include a module 1406 for using the data processor to analyze data indicative of the location of the UE and for comparing the location with the geographic area. In addition, the system 1400 uses a data processor 1410 to initiate signal analysis measurements of the wireless network when the UE is in a geographic area and a module 1408 for recording the set of signal measurements to upload to the wireless network. ) May be included.

15 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless communication system 1500 that may facilitate wireless communication in accordance with some aspects disclosed herein. On the downlink, at the access point 1505, the transmit (TX) data processor 1510 receives, formats, codes, and interleaves and modulates (or symbol maps) the traffic data stream, and modulates the symbols (" Data symbols "). The symbol modulator 1515 receives and processes data symbols and pilot symbols and provides a stream of symbols. The symbol modulator 1515 multiplexes the data and pilot symbols and provides them to a transmitter unit (TMTR) 1520. Each transmit symbol may be a data symbol, a pilot symbol, or a signal value of zero. The pilot symbols may be sent continuously in each symbol period. Pilot symbols may be frequency division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), time division multiplexing (TDM), code division multiplexing (CDM), or a suitable combination of these or similar modulation and / or transmission techniques.

TMTR 1520 receives and converts a stream of symbols into one or more analog signals and further adjusts (eg, amplifies, filters, And frequency upconversion). The downlink signal is transmitted to the terminals through the antenna 1525. At the terminal 1530, the antenna 1535 receives the downlink signal and provides the received signal to a receiver unit (RCVR) 1540. The receiver unit 1540 adjusts (eg, filters, amplifies, and frequency downconverts) the received signal and digitizes the adjusted signal to obtain samples. The symbol demodulator 1545 demodulates the received pilot symbols and provides them to the processor 1550 for channel estimation. The symbol demodulator 1545 further receives a frequency response estimate for the downlink from the processor 1550 and demodulates the data for the received data symbols to obtain data symbol estimates (which are estimates of transmitted data symbols). And provide data symbol estimates to an RX data processor 1555 that demodulates (ie, symbol demaps), deinterleaves, and decodes the data symbol estimates to recover the transmitted traffic data. Processing by symbol demodulator 1545 and RX data processor 1555 is complementary to processing by symbol modulator 1515 and TX data processor 1510 at access point 1505, respectively.

On the uplink, TX data processor 1560 processes the traffic data and provides data symbols. The symbol modulator 1565 receives and multiplexes data symbols with the pilot symbols, performs modulation, and provides a stream of symbols. Transmitter unit 1570 then receives and processes the stream of symbols to generate an uplink signal, which is transmitted by antenna 1535 to access point 1505. In particular, the uplink signal may be in accordance with SC-FDMA requirements and may include a frequency hopping mechanism as disclosed herein.

At the access point 1505, an uplink signal from the terminal 1530 is received by the antenna 1525 and processed by the receiver unit 1575 to obtain samples. The symbol demodulator 1580 then processes the samples and provides data symbol estimates for the received pilot symbols and the uplink. The RX data processor 1585 processes the data symbol estimates to recover the traffic data sent by the terminal 1530. Processor 1590 performs channel estimation for each active terminal transmission on the uplink. Multiple terminals may transmit pilot simultaneously on the uplink for separate assigned sets of pilot sub-bands, where the pilot sub-band sets may be interlaced.

Processors 1590 and 1550 direct (eg, control, coordinate, manage, etc.) operation at access point 1505 and terminal 1530, respectively. Individual processors 1590 and 1550 may be associated with memory units (not shown) that store program codes and data. Processors 1590 and 1550 may also perform calculations to derive frequency and time based impulse response estimates for the uplink and downlink, respectively.

For a multiple-access system (eg, SC-FDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, CDMA, TDMA, etc.), multiple terminals can transmit simultaneously on the uplink. For such a system, pilot sub-bands can be shared between different terminals. Channel estimation techniques may be used in cases where pilot sub-bands for each terminal span the entire operating band (possibly except for band edges). Such a pilot sub-band structure would be desirable to obtain frequency diversity for each terminal. The techniques disclosed herein may be implemented by various means. For example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For hardware implementations that may be digital, analog, or both digital and analog, the processing units used for channel estimation may include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices ( DSPDs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronics designed to perform the functions described herein. It may be implemented in units, or a combination thereof. In software, the implementation may be through modules (eg, procedures, functions, etc.) that perform the functions disclosed herein. The software codes are stored in memory and can be executed by the processors 1590 and 1550.

16 illustrates multiple base stations (BSs) 1610 (eg, wireless access points, wireless communication device) and multiple terminals 1620 (eg, as may be used with one or more aspects). For example, illustrate a wireless communication system 1600 with ATs. BS 1610 is generally a fixed station that communicates with terminals and may also be called an access point, a Node B, or some other terminology. Each BS 1610 provides communication coverage for a particular geographic area or coverage area, illustrated as the three geographic areas of FIG. 16 labeled 1602a, 1602b, and 1602c. The term "cell" may refer to a BS or its coverage area depending on the context in which the term is used. To improve system capacity, the BS geographic area / coverage area is divided into a number of small areas (e.g., three smaller areas according to cell 1602a of FIG. 16) 1604a, 1604b, and 1604c. Can be. Each smaller area 1604a, 1604b, 1604c may be served by a separate base transceiver subsystem (BTS). The term "sector" may refer to a BTS or its coverage area depending on the context in which the term is used. For a sectorized cell, the BTSs for all sectors of the cell are typically co-located within the base station for the cell. The transmission techniques disclosed herein may be used for systems with non-sectorized cells as well as systems with sectorized cells. For simplicity, in the description of the invention, unless otherwise specified, the term " base station " can generally be used for fixed stations serving sectors as well as fixed stations serving cells.

Terminals 1620 are typically distributed throughout the system, and each terminal 1620 may be fixed or mobile. Terminals 1620 may also be referred to as a mobile station, user equipment, user device, wireless communication device, access terminal, user terminal, or some other terminology. Terminal 1620 may be a wireless device, cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem card, or the like. Each terminal 1620 may communicate with zero, one or multiple BSs 1610 on the downlink (eg, FL) and uplink (eg, RL) at any given moment. . The downlink refers to the communication link from the base stations to the terminals, and the uplink refers to the communication link from the terminals to the base stations.

For a centralized architecture, system controller 1630 is connected to base stations 1610 and provides coordinates and control for BSs 1610. For a distributed architecture, the BSs 1610 may communicate with each other as needed (eg, by a wired or wireless backhaul network to which the BSs 1610 are communicatively connected). Data transmission on the forward link can often occur from one access point to one access terminal at or near the maximum data rate that can be supported by the forward link or communication system. Additional channels (eg, control channels) of the forward link may be sent from multiple access points to one access terminal. Reverse link data communication may occur from one access terminal to one or more access points.

17 is an illustration of a planned or semi-planned wireless communication environment 1700 in accordance with various aspects. The wireless communication environment 1700 may include one or more BSs 1702 of one or more cells and / or sectors that receive, transmit, relay, etc. wireless communication signals to each other and / or to one or more mobile devices 1704. It may include. As illustrated, each BS 1702 can provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area exemplified as four geographic areas, labeled 1706a, 1706b, 1706c, and 1706d. Each BS 1702 has a number of components (eg, processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers) associated with signal transmission and reception, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. May include a transmit chain and a receive chain, each of which may include antennas, etc.). Mobile devices 1704 may be, for example, cellular telephones, smartphones, laptops, handheld communication devices, handheld computing devices, satellite radios, global positioning systems, PDAs, or wireless. It may be any other device suitable for communicating over the communication environment 1700. The wireless communication environment 1700 may be used with the various aspects disclosed herein to facilitate automated downlink signal analysis and targeted reporting in wireless communications, as described herein.

As used in this application, the terms “component”, “module”, “system” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software or running software. For example, a module may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, a device, and / or a computer. One or more modules may reside within a process and / or thread of execution; And the module may be localized on one electronic device and / or distributed between two or more electronic devices. In addition, these modules can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. Modules have a signal with one or more data packets (eg, data from a local system, other components of a distributed system and / or data from one component interacting with other systems via a network such as the Internet by way of a signal). May be communicated by local and / or remote processes, such as Additionally, components or modules of the system disclosed herein are rearranged or additional components / modules to facilitate achieving various aspects, goals, advantages, etc., disclosed in connection with the invention. And / or systems, and can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, and are not limited to the precise configurations set forth in the given figures.

In addition, various aspects are described in connection with a UE. The UE may be a system, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile, mobile communication device, mobile device, remote station, remote terminal, access terminal (AT), user agent (UA), user device, or user equipment (UE). May also be referred to. The subscriber station connects to cellular phones, wireless telephones, session initiation protocol (SIP) telephones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless connectivity, or wireless modems. Other processing device, or similar mechanism that facilitates wireless communication with the processing device.

In one or more example embodiments, the disclosed functions may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or a combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium can be any physical medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer storage media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or instructions or data structures. It may be used to deliver or store the desired program code in the form and may include any other medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or dedicated computer or a general purpose or dedicated processor. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave, Fiber technology, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. Discs (disks and discs) as used herein include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital general purpose discs (DVDs), floppy discs and Blu-ray discs, and discs are usually data While magnetically reproduce the data, the discs optically reproduce the data by the laser. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

For hardware implementation, various illustrative logics, logic blocks, modules, and circuits of the processing unit disclosed in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may include one or more ASICs, DSPs, DSPDs, PLDs, FPGAs. Or implemented in discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, general purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. Can be performed. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microprocessor, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, eg, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration. In addition, the at least one processor may include one or more modules operable to perform one or more steps and / or actions disclosed herein.

In addition, various aspects or features disclosed herein may be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. In addition, the steps and / or operations of the method or algorithm described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware directly, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. . Additionally, in some aspects the steps or operations of the method or algorithm may reside as at least one or any combination or set of codes or instructions on a machine-readable medium or a computer-readable medium, and This can be integrated into a computer program product. The term "article of manufacture" is intended to include a computer program accessible from any suitable computer-readable device or medium as used herein.

In addition, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean being an example, illustration or illustration. Any aspect or design disclosed herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily necessarily configured for other aspects or designs. Rather, the word exemplary is intended to represent concepts in a specific manner. As used herein, the term "or" is intended to mean inclusive "or" rather than exclusive "or". That is, unless otherwise specified or apparent from the context, "X uses A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural generic permutations. That is, X uses A; X uses B; Or if X uses both A and B, then the statement "X uses A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing examples. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” used in the present application and claims should be interpreted to mean “one or more” generally, unless expressly stated otherwise or in the singular form to indicate the singular form.

As used herein, the terms "infer" or "inference" generally refer to the state of the system, environment, and / or user from a set of observations that are captured through events and / or data. Refers to a processor of inference or reasoning. Inference can be used to identify a specific context or action, or can generate a probability distribution over states, for example. Inference can be probabilistic-that is, the calculation of the probability distribution for those states based on consideration of data and events. Inference can also refer to techniques used to compose higher-level events from a set of events and / or data. Such inference may include a new event from a set of observed events and / or stored event data, whether the events are temporarily closely interrelated, and whether the events and data come from one or multiple events and data sources. Result in the configuration of the elements or operations.

The foregoing includes embodiments of aspects of the claimed subject matter. Of course, it is not possible to describe every possible combination of components or methods for the purpose of describing the foregoing embodiments, but those skilled in the art will recognize that many further combinations and substitutions of the various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Moreover, when the terms "include", "has or having" are used in the description or claims, such terms are used when the term "comprising" is used as a transient word in the claims. It is intended to include the term "consisting of" in a manner similar to that interpreted.

Claims (50)

A wireless communication method comprising:
Using a communication interface to forward data defining a geographic area to a user equipment (UE) operating within a wireless network, the data defining the geographic area using geographic coordinates independent of the wireless network infrastructure; ; And
To forward a trigger policy to the UE that causes the UE to record or log signal measurements of the wireless network and generate a set of signal measurements when the UE is in the geographic area. Using the communication interface
Including, wireless communication method. The method of claim 1,
Using the communication interface to forward the data and the trigger policy to the UE via a base station of the wireless network. The method of claim 1,
Receiving the signal measurements transmitted by the UE, wherein the signal measurements include the strength or quality of the signals of the wireless network measured by the UE when the UE is in the geographic area. Wireless communication method. The method of claim 1,
The trigger policy is an implicit command or an explicit command for the UE, based on forwarding of the data defining the geographic area to the UE. The method of claim 1,
The trigger policy specifies one or more conditions for causing the UE to record or log signal measurements of the wireless network as well as the UE within the geographic area, wherein the one or more conditions are available battery energy, available A wireless communication method comprising storage capacity, available memory capacity, or time. The method of claim 1,
Using the communication interface to obtain data defining the geographic area from a wireless management network associated with the wireless network. The method of claim 1,
Geographic positioning system (GPS) coordinates; or
Geographic latitude and longitude coordinates
Using at least one of the geographical coordinates. The method of claim 1,
Using an extended control plane protocol of the wireless network to forward the data defining the geographic area or the trigger policy to the UE. The method of claim 1,
Using a user plane protocol of the wireless network that includes the data defining the geographic area or the trigger policy and is configured to forward to the UE. 10. The method of claim 9,
Generating a set of user plane data packets comprising the data defining the geographic area or the trigger policy, transmitting the set of user plane data packets to the UE, and including the set of signal measurements Initiating a network server application to receive a set of uploaded data packets from. The method of claim 1,
Forwarding a set of data defining a reporting area to the UE, wherein the UE uploads the set of signal measurements only if the UE is within the reporting area. A device configured for wireless communication,
A communication interface for electronic communication with a wireless management network and a wireless transceiver;
Memory for storing wireless protocols for transmitting data to or receiving data from a user equipment (UE) via the wireless transceiver; And
A data processor for executing modules configured to implement the wireless protocols
To include, the modules,
A data management module for obtaining or generating a set of geographic data defining a geographic area and a set of reporting data defining a reporting area;
Via the wireless transceiver to cause the UE to record a set of measurements of wireless network signals when the UE is in the geographic area and to upload the set of measurements when the UE is in the reporting area. A command module for transmitting the set of geographical data and the set of reporting data to a UE
Comprising a device configured for wireless communication. The method of claim 12,
And a receiving module for obtaining the set of measurements from the UE via the wireless transceiver when the wireless transceiver is within the reporting area. The method of claim 12,
The set of geographic data defining the geographic area is
Global positioning system (GPS) coordinates;
Latitude and longitude coordinates; And
Set of base station identifiers of a wireless network
And at least one of the devices configured for wireless communication. The method of claim 12,
The set of reporting data defining the reporting area is
Global positioning system coordinates;
Latitude and longitude coordinates; or
A set of base station identifiers optionally including a base station identifier of the wireless transceiver
And at least one of the devices configured for wireless communication. The method of claim 12,
The set of reporting data defines a preferred reporting area and a default reporting area; Add to,
The UE refrains from uploading the set of measurements unless the UE is in the preferred reporting area before expiration of a preferred reporting time; And
And the UE uploads the set of measurements at any place within the default reporting area when the preferred reporting time has expired. The method of claim 12,
The command module further includes a server application for embedding the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data into application data packets, and using user plane protocols to transmit the application data packets to the UE. Device configured for. The method of claim 12,
And the command module is configured for wireless communication using control plane protocols to transmit the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data to the UE. The method of claim 18, wherein the command module,
Use a unicast message to transmit the set of geographical data and the set of reporting data to the UE when the UE has an active wireless connection with the wireless transceiver; or
And use a broadcast message to transmit the set of geographic data and the set of reporting data to the UE when the UE is in an idle state. The method of claim 12,
And a version module that queries the UE to determine location identification capabilities of the UE and obtains a response from the UE regarding the location identification capabilities. The method of claim 20,
The data management module is configured for wireless communication converting the set of geographic data into a format that matches the location identification capabilities of the UE. The method of claim 21, wherein the format is,
GPS coordinates if the location identification capabilities of the UE include GPS analysis;
Latitude and longitude coordinates if the location identification capabilities of the UE include latitude and longitude analysis; or
A set of base station IDs that serve at least a subset of the geographic area if the location identification capabilities of the UE are limited to network-based positioning
And at least one of the devices configured for wireless communication. A device configured for wireless communication,
Means for using a communication interface to forward data defining a geographic area to a user equipment (UE) operating within a wireless network, the data defining the geographic area regardless of a wireless network infrastructure; And
Using the communication interface to forward a trigger policy to the UE that causes the UE to record or log signal measurements of the wireless network and generate a set of signal measurements when the UE is in the geographic area. Means for
Comprising a device configured for wireless communication. At least one processor configured for wireless communication,
A module for forwarding data defining a geographic area to a user equipment (UE) operating within a wireless network, the data defining the geographic area regardless of a wireless network infrastructure; And
A module that forwards a trigger policy to the UE that causes the UE to record or log signal measurements of the wireless network and generate a set of signal measurements when the UE is in the geographic area.
At least one processor configured for wireless communication. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium,
The computer-
Code for causing a computer to forward data defining a geographic area to a user equipment (UE) operating within a wireless network, the data defining the geographic area regardless of the wireless network infrastructure; And
Code for causing the computer to forward a trigger policy to the UE that causes the UE to record or log signal measurements of the wireless network and generate a set of signal measurements when the UE is in the geographic area;
Including, computer program stuff. A wireless communication method comprising:
Using a wireless transceiver to obtain a set of geographic data defining a geographic area independent of a base station infrastructure of the wireless network;
Using a data processor to analyze data indicative of a location of a user equipment (UE) and comparing the location to the geographic area; And
Using the data processor to initiate signal analysis measurements of the wireless network when the UE is within the geographical area, and recording a set of signal measurements to upload to the wireless network
Including, wireless communication method. The method of claim 26,
Obtaining a set of reporting data defining a reporting area of the wireless network for uploading the set of signal measurements. The method of claim 27,
If the UE is not within the reporting area, stopping uploading the set of signal measurements to the wireless network. The method of claim 27,
The reporting area includes a preferred reporting area and a preferred reporting time, and if the preferred reporting time has not expired, stopping uploading the set of signal measurements if the UE is not within the reporting area. Wireless communication method. The method of claim 29,
Uploading the set of signal measurements anywhere in the wireless network when the preferred reporting time has expired. The method of claim 27,
And the data indicative of the location of the UE comprises an identifier (ID) of a base station serving the UE, and wherein the set of geographic data defining the geographic area comprises a set of base station IDs of the wireless network. Way. The method of claim 26,
Measuring signals of the wireless network,
Signal strength;
Quality of signal strength;
Quality at signal peak level;
Call drop rate;
Setup success rate; or
Throughput
Measuring at least one of the; The method of claim 26,
Using a control plane protocol to obtain the set of geographic data. The method of claim 33, wherein
Acquiring the set of geographic data in a broadcast message or in a unicast message targeted for the UE when the UE is in an idle state. The method of claim 26,
Using a user plane protocol to obtain the set of geographic data, wherein the set of geographic data is included in the payload of one or more data packets generated by a network server. 36. The method of claim 35,
Using a client application to extract the set of geographic data from the one or more data packets, wherein the data processor compares the location to at least the geographic area and initiates signal analysis measurements of the wireless network. Executing instructions of the client application for a wireless communication method. A device configured for wireless communication,
A communication interface using a wireless transceiver to obtain a set of geographic data defining a geographic area and a reporting data defining a reporting area, the geographic area being at least partially different from the reporting area;
Memory for storing modules configured to provide a location dependent on signal analysis for the device; And
A data processor for executing the modules
To include, the modules,
A measurement module for performing data analysis of received wireless signals;
A comparison module for monitoring data providing a location location of the device and comparing the location with the geographic area; And
A triggering module that causes the measurement module to initiate analysis of downlink signals when the positioning is within the geographical area
Comprising a device configured for wireless communication. The method of claim 37,
And a termination module that causes the measurement module to terminate the analysis of the downlink signals when the location is outside the geographic area. The method of claim 37,
And a positioning module for acquiring or generating the data providing the positioning of the device. The method of claim 39,
And the positioning module comprises a client application of a global positioning system (GPS) device providing global positioning coordinates for the data providing the positioning of the device. The method of claim 39,
And the positioning module comprises a client application of a navigation device that provides latitude and longitude coordinates for the data providing the positioning of the device. The method of claim 39,
And the location module uses a base station identifier (base station ID) of a serving base station and infers the location determination of the device from the base station ID. The method of claim 37,
The comparing module further compares the reporting area with the positioning and determines whether the apparatus is within the reporting area. The method of claim 43,
And a reporting module for uploading a set of signal analysis data inferred from the data analysis when the device is within the reporting area. The method of claim 43,
Wherein the reporting area comprises a preferred reporting area and a default reporting area and optionally comprises a preferred reporting time. The method of claim 45,
The reporting module,
Uploading results of the data analysis when the device is within the preferred reporting area; or
Stopping uploading the results of the data analysis if the device is not in the preferred reporting area, unless the preferred reporting time expires and the device is not in the default reporting area.
And configured to perform wireless communication. The method of claim 37,
The communication interface obtains the set of geographical data and the set of reporting data from a control plane protocol of a wireless network; or
The apparatus further comprising a client application that uses a user plane protocol to interface with a network server application, wherein the client application is configured to retrieve the set of geographic data or the reporting data from user plane data packets provided by the network server application. Extract a set and generate uplink user plane data packets to send the results of the data analysis to the network server application, configured for wireless communication. An apparatus for wireless communication,
Means for using the wireless transceiver to obtain a set of geographic data defining a geographic area independent of a base station infrastructure of the wireless network;
Means for using a data processor to analyze data indicative of a location of a user equipment (UE) and comparing the location to the geographic area; And
Means for recording the set of signal measurements for using the data processor to initiate signal analysis measurements of the wireless network and uploading to the wireless network when the UE is within the geographic area.
Including, the apparatus for wireless communication. At least one processor configured for wireless communication,
A module for obtaining a set of geographic data defining a geographic area independent of a base station infrastructure of a wireless network;
A module for analyzing data indicative of a location of a user equipment (UE) and comparing the location to the geographical area; And
A module for initiating signal analysis measurements of the wireless network and recording a set of signal measurements for uploading to a wireless network when the UE is within the geographic area.
At least one processor configured for wireless communication. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium,
The computer-
Code for causing a computer to acquire a set of geographic data defining a geographic area independent of a base station infrastructure of a wireless network;
Code for causing the computer to analyze data indicative of a location of a user equipment (UE) and compare the location to the geographic area; And
Code for causing the computer to record a set of signal measurements to initiate and upload signal analysis measurements of the wireless network when the UE is within the geographic area
Including, computer program stuff.

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